Employers must Register for Tier 2 of Points Based System to Renew Work Permits

Employers renewing Work Permits for their Senior Carers and Nurses after November 2008 must be registered as sponsors to apply under the new on-line points-based system.

Most employers I have spoken to have not yet started the process of applying, which is a worry for their overseas employees who cannot renew permits until after the new system takes effect.

The Home Office recommends that employers must apply by 1 October in order to meet the November deadline.

Senior Carers renewing permits after November are naturally concerned about whether or not they will be able to continue working in the UK, as the UK Border Agency (UKBA) has said that the current ‘transitional arrangement’ will end once the Points system comes into force.

“Generous transition for Senior Carers “ Nigel Farminer, from UKBA Policy Team

I put these concerns to representatives from the UKBA at a recent meeting organised by the Immigration Advisory Service (IAS), held at the Pakistan Embassy in London.

Nigel Farminer, from UKBA Policy Team, confirmed that a “generous” transitional arrangement had now been put in place for existing migrant workers on Work Permits to be renewed under the points system.

The key point is that although existing permit holders will need to apply under the points system, they will not need to meet the points criteria. Salary conditions will still apply.

Full details on sponsorship under the points-based system are available from the employers and sponsors section of the UK Border Agency website:

http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers/